The new Netflix documentary, “Gaga: Five Foot Two,” directed by Chris Moukarbel (Banksy Does New York), allows the viewer to get to know who the woman behind the pseudonym “Lady Gaga” really is. It’s a beautiful and emotional documentary that shows how she became a star. After a five-year break from the limelight, “she finally found herself” and “Gaga; Five Foot Two” is all about the self-discovery process. Some would say Lady Gaga is the most controversial artist since Madonna. With her loud outfits, chameleon-like looks and artsy videos, they may have a point. But as proven with her most recent album “Joanne,” Lady Gaga is more than just a diva. She’s Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, a New York City girl with Italian roots, who has anxieties, doubt, and issues. Documentaries about celebrities, especially the ones who disappeared for a while, often give the feeling of a staged and some sort of reality show concept a là “Keeping Up With The Kardashians.” But not so with Gaga. It doesn’t give the impression Germanotta is in need of money or publicity. Someone who has more than 20 million followers on social media, must still be in demand, right? She often shows her appreciation for her fans when she gets close with them to take pictures or surprises them with tickets to her show, but she never seems to be bothered by her fan base- shown in a few scenes. “Gaga; Five Foot Two” is a stirring whiplash that showcases the struggles of the comeback from an artist that was made into something she wasn’t, not just by her record label, but also by searching for her true self. Besides the fancy things, the documentary also shows that fame always comes with a price to pay; since the show must go on. No matter if it means to have a broken hip or to be sleep deprived. But it also reflects on the vulnerability that comes with being a pop star. The loneliness, failed relationships and depression all comes shining through. The opening scene shows a morning in the life of Germanotta in her house in Los Angeles, somewhere far away from the Hollywood glam. Gaga might seem as though she’s an extrovert on stage and in the limelight but in private she’s just an ordinary girl from New York, humble,...

Inducing night terrors and plenty of suspense, director and writer Mike Flanagan (Ouija: Origin of Evil) and screenplay writer Jeff Howard (Oculus) adapted Stephen King’s 1992 novel “Gerald’s Game,” into a Netflix original that’s a brilliant twist that forces you to look deep inside your soul. Like Freud would say “Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways.” At first, it seems, as if King lives out his darkest sexual desires that involve handcuffs and rape fantasies in an idyllic house in the middle of nowhere. But there’s more to see here than the literally naked eye can see. In a way, it reminds of “The secret window” starring Johnny Depp (Blow), where he plays a schizophrenic writer and most of the happening, happens in his mind. “Gerald’s Game” is set in the mind of “Jessie Burlingame,” starring Carla Gugino (San Andreas) who questions her marriage to her husband, “Gerald,” portrayed by Bruce Greenwood (I, Robot). After a sex game gone horribly wrong and Jessie has no way to escape, her thirsty mind tries to unfold the mysteries surrounding her. There’s not much of a backstory prior the first scene, but the viewer is aware of the fact that the relationship between Jessie and Gerald is on its last straw because Jessie refuses Gerald’s gentle touches. The reason behind their weekend trip into the middle of nowhere is a retreat to boost their rocky marriage with some added spice in their sex life, which goes from “happy-go-lucky” to “hell no.” The film has everything to do with the differences between the two. Jessie, a beautiful voluptuous woman with luscious dark locks and sultry rose-pink lips is married to Gerald, who’s a lot older than her, with greyish-white hair, sun-kissed, matured skin and an appetite for viagra pills; a couple that has worlds between them. It’s obvious that Jessie has a “Daddy’s complex” and it comes to the surface when Gerald wants to be called “Daddy” while he dominates her. It ends up all going horribly wrong, in the best way possible. “Gerald’s Game” is a deep psychological thriller that tries to unravel the connection we have to ourselves and others. It’s an experience of constant-adrenaline pumping hysteria. Although most of the scenes are shot in the bedroom, where Jessie is...

The new Netflix documentary, “Gaga: Five Foot Two,” directed by Chris Moukarbel (Banksy Does New York), allows the viewer to get to know who the woman behind the pseudonym “Lady Gaga” really is. It’s a beautiful and emotional documentary that shows how she became a star. After a five-year break from the limelight, “she finally found herself” and “Gaga; Five Foot Two” is all about the self-discovery process....

Inducing night terrors and plenty of suspense, director and writer Mike Flanagan (Ouija: Origin of Evil) and screenplay writer Jeff Howard (Oculus) adapted Stephen King’s 1992 novel “Gerald’s Game,” into a Netflix original that’s a brilliant twist that forces you to look deep inside your soul. Like Freud would say “Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways.” At...

“Berlin Syndrome” represents exactly what mother used to warn us about: “Don’t go home with strangers.” It’s an exhilarating piece of art, directed by Cate Shortland (Somersault) and written by Shaun Grant (The Snowtown Murders). It’s a brilliant countdown of trust, fear and lust in combination with thrilling, unpredictable moments that keep the viewer reeling with anticipation. Shortland (Somersault) tries to show the viewer the...

Clowns are meant to bring children joy with their playful antics and joyous demeanor, but Pennywise does nothing but the complete opposite in the modern-day retelling of Stephen King’s It. Originally released in 1986 and adapted into a TV miniseries that aired in 1990, this 2017 remake will have you split down the middle. A great tale more similar to Stranger Things than the original, the scares don’t float the way they...

No matter your religious or political views, Shawna Virago’s newest album, “Heaven Sent Delinquent” is for everyone. It is not only about her life as a transgender, it is about life in general. The album is honest, witty, and original. Music has a way of uniting people, and Virago attempts that; she uses her lyrical and melodious powers to encourage tolerance and understanding. The album opens with a folky acoustic track, “Bright...

If you’ve never heard of Sam Levin and you listened to his newest album, “Frame of Mind,” you may think he is 30. That is because at 15, Levin has the talent and intuitiveness of an experienced musician. Not only are his songwriting skills on point; Levin also plays the majority of the instruments on his self-released album, and produced it to perfection. At a time where legitimately good music is hard to come by, Levin shows us that...